Corporate Law

In 2011, the California Legislature amended the California Corporations Code to add a value component to the statutory test governing distributions to shareholders. These changes were meant to simplify and modernize the guidelines for California corporations to follow when distributing dividends. As the best corporate attorney in Los Angeles will tell you, these changes create the potential for new risks and rewards for investors. These changes to the law, found in Sections 500-509 of the […]

A greatbusiness lawyer in Los Angeles is essential for startup companies as well as more established businesses. When you can get help in different areas of the law, you can save valuable time in your business dealings. Here are five key areas where every company needs qualified representation. Commercials Transactions The standard clauses at the end of contracts can lead to – and often are the main source of – major disputes down the road, […]

The JOBS (Jumpstart Our Business Startups) Act was passed in 2012 with the intention of making it easier for investors to fund small businesses. This legislation was largely seen as a victory for the small business community as well as for investors alike. The JOBS Act removed many SEC regulations regarding who could and could not invest in startups, in addition to when a business was required to go public. Before the passage of the […]

As the world becomes more digital, and more information is posted to websites and available to the general public, it has become necessary for state and federal government agencies to create laws governing internet privacy. Sometimes, the laws change so quickly it is impossible for even the most conscientious company to stay current on which regulations have been enacted. That is why it is imperative to have an attorney who is well versed in your […]

Tough negotiations are part and parcel when it comes to buying or selling a business. All involved parties will do whatever they can to protect their interests in the deal, and all parties are responsible for taking the necessary steps to protect themselves throughout the purchase and sale process. If you are entering negotiations to buy or sell a business and approaching the phase in which you need draft the terms for an actual letter […]

Preparing for a major day in court requires a deep understanding of all current laws and statutes. In California, where laws can shift not only through the legislature but through voter-created propositions, it is extremely difficult to stay on top of current guidelines. For example, were you aware that changes have been made to California’s anti-securities fraud statute several times since it was established? The original California Securities Law passed in 1968, establishing guidelines for […]

Earlier this year, several significant amendments to the Delaware General Corporation Law (the DGCL) were approved. These amendments went into effect on August 1, 2014, as described below. In addition to certain clarifying or procedural general amendments, the main substantive amendments are: Short Form Mergers – Section 251(h) Section 251(h) of the DGCL was enacted in August 2013 to simplify and accelerate the two-step merger process. Section 251(h) currently provides that, if certain requirements are […]

For those of you who believe California is not the most business friendly state in the union, here is a bit of good news which you may not be aware of. Assembly Bill 571 (“AB 571”), sponsored by the Corporations Committee of the State Bar of California, became effective as of January 1, 2012. AB 571 streamlines and simplifies the legal requirements governing distributions to shareholders by a California corporation in a manner that is […]

Transactional attorneys are especially known for bickering over words or even punctuation when negotiating agreements — “Commercially reasonable efforts” versus “reasonable best efforts” or adding the phrase “not to be unreasonably withheld” after a provision requiring written consent of another party. Often times, there is case law in support of why one provision is more advantageous over another for the client, and other times, attorneys insist on certain language simply because they learned it from […]

Client Testimonials

As a serial entrepreneur and CEO of companies both small and national, I cannot think of more trustworthy and competent counsel than Afshin Hakim. He is one of the best attorneys in Los Angeles.

Juve Vela, Psy.D., CEO/President

Understanding Behavior, Inc.

The strategic advice Afshin provided our company in connection with closing a transaction and navigating through litigation issues was priceless and crucial towards our success. Afshin is the kind of lawyer every CEO would love to have.

Brandon Kashfian

AltaThera Pharmaceuticals

Hakim Law Group has consistently delivered high quality advice and documentation ahead of our timelines and on or under budget. They remain a key ally for us in all aspects of our corporate development.